NFL: International Games 2026 Across Four Continents

The NFL will host nine International Games in 2026 – a record number. The games will be played across four continents and seven countries. The league announced at the start of February the three venues that had not yet been revealed.

In recent years, the NFL has steadily increased the number of international games per season. Eight of the 62 games played outside the USA to date took place in 2025. The NFL is increasing the number again for 2026 and will host nine International Games. All locations for the games are now known.

Two international games were played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October 2025.
Two international games were played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October 2025. Image: NFL International

In early February, the NFL announced that games will be played in Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu), Paris (Stade de France), and Mexico City (Estadio Banorte). Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground), Rio de Janeiro (Estadio Maracanã), Munich (Allianz Arena), and three games in London (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium) had already been confirmed.

In 2026, an NFL game will be played for the first time in Paris at the Stade de France.
In 2026, an NFL game will be played for the first time in Paris at the Stade de France. Image: Stadionwelt
This will be the first NFL game to be played in France. It has already been confirmed that the New Orleans Saints will play at the Stade de France. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said: „Paris is one of the world’s greatest sporting and cultural cities with tremendous success in hosting global events that unite fans on the biggest stages. Playing our first-ever regular season game at the impressive Stade de France, together with the New Orleans Saints, underlines our continued global growth ambitions and we look forward to bringing the NFL to our passionate fans in France.“

The upcoming game in Madrid marks the beginning of a multi-year partnership. In 2025, the NFL celebrated its premiere at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and, according to the NFL, will continue to host regular season games in the Spanish capital beyond that.

The NFL will return to the Estadio Bernabéu several times.
The NFL will return to the Estadio Bernabéu several times. Image: Stadionwelt
“It is an honor and a privilege for Real Madrid to host the NFL once again at the Bernabéu stadium,” said Real Madrid Director of Institutional Relations Emilio Butragueño. “The transformation of the Bernabéu stadium is a major boost for sport to continue to be a unifying force for millions of fans across all continents.”

The Estadio Banorte in Mexico City has hosted several NFL games in the past: the NFL has already come to Mexico five times. From 2026 to 2028, three more International Games will be held in the country, which has 40 million NFL fans – the largest fanbase outside of the USA.

“This multi‑year agreement with the NFL will allow hundreds of thousands of fans to enjoy regular season games at one of the world’s most iconic and newly renovated stadiums”, said Deputy General Director of Estadio Banorte Félix Aguirre. “The agreement reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that the new dawn of Estadio Banorte is defined by hosting sporting and entertainment events of excellence in our country.”

In November 2025, Berlin hosted one of the NFL International Games.
In November 2025, Berlin hosted one of the NFL International Games. Image: Thomas Margraf

62 regular season NFL games have been played around the world with London, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin, São Paulo, Mexico City and Toronto having hosted games. (stadiaworld, 03.02.2026)